Provided herein is a portable thermocycler, comprising: (i) a case; (ii) a rotary plate in the case; (iii) a plurality of heating blocks arranged in a geometric pattern disposed on the rotary plate; and (iv) at least one vessel adapted to move and contact at least two of the plurality of heating blocks; wherein each of the heating blocks comprises a heating plate maintained at a set temperature over a thermally insulating material; wherein the geometric pattern comprises a number of center heating blocks arranged in a shape defining a polygon and a number of outside heating blocks disposed around the periphery of the rotary plate; and wherein the rotary plate includes a plurality of rotating wheels adapted to rotate at least one of the vessels into contact with each of the heating blocks.